Friday Email Bag

Each Friday I publish your comments and answer your questions. To submit a comment or questions please email me at [email protected]

Mickey,

This has to be one of the worst losses we have ever had and the coaching was horrible. I don't know the answer but our team is not well coach and not ready for tournaments. What can be done?

Cufan

Cufan,

I am not sure where this loss ranks. I have been a Clemson basketball fan for over forty years, so I have seen some bad losses. In this game, everything that could go wrong went wrong in the last eight minutes. I think the biggest issue was the fouling. When you have a big lead, the last thing you want to do is allow the opponent to score without the clock moving. The rebounding was another issue.

Mickey,

Another ACC Tournament, another first round loss but this one is different because it was a total self destructive disaster. There is no question that Clemson now has the shooters that allow the team to compete but mentally and physically, the team comes up short. Georgia Tech's inside starters got almost twice as many rebounds as Clemson's and in the last 10-12 minutes including OT, it just appeared Tech flat out wanted it more. On the mental side, the key plays in my mind were the ill advised attempt and offensive foul by the Clemson guard trying to get to the goal after a steal in a time when Tech was coming back and then the foul on Georges-Hunt when he was trying to shoot a 3 from about 30 feet and of course he knocked down all 3 foul shots. The other huge factor was why in the world would a team with the lead commit so many fouls instead of forcing the opponent to actually make a shot? If Tech makes shots so be it but don't put them on the line.

Playing smarter, playing with more courage and getting a rebound are what the Tigers need because the offensive pieces are filling in. It is getting old to say, but maybe next year will be better because let's be honest, when 68 teams make the NCAA Tournament, the old gray mare NIT is just not what t used to be.

Andy

Andy,

I have no interest in the NIT. It suits me just to pack up the equipment and get ready for next season.

This was a total collapse. The defense was awful. The Tigers just kept fouling. They missed key free throws. The last 12 seconds were inexplicable. It was bad playing and bad coaching. It was an embarrassing collapse.

Mickey,

Nice article and oh so very true. Unfortunately, one of there major jobs of any coach is to set the tone for his team which includes instilling confidence in them which in turns leads to a relaxed performance so to speak. In last nite's game, clearly BB did nothing to stem the onslaught we faced after leading by 18 with under 10 to play. When it got to up 13 he immediately needed to call TO and get out of the man to man--where we were getting manhandled--and go to a zone. It's called coaching in game situations and IMO BB simply has

little or no skill in that area.

He's a nice guy and perhaps knows the game well but as a coach he is sorely lacking in the finer points of coaching.We lost the game against GT on our terrible defense and BB's lack of ability to adjust and go to another D which was the perfect solution for what we faced

in that a zone is much harder to drive against, gives better positioning for rebounds and forces the other team to take shots further from the basket. It also forces the opponent to adjust their

style of play. to a different D.

Clemson BBall will not dramatically improve under BB and for that reason he needs to be replaced. He would do very well in a lower level where the coaching sophistication can be lower given the talent of the teams involved.

Slater

Slater,

The loss was embarrassing. Coaching was a part of it. I think next year is a big year for the program and the pressure to make the NCAA tournament will be on for the first time.

Mickey,

I have the vent. I think we witnessed the worst coaching job in Clemson basketball history Wednesday night. Players have to make plays and I get that, but what we saw at the end of that game was simply horrendous and I put that squarely on Brownell’s shoulders. Players were out of position throwing up shots that made no sense. Brownell maybe a good practice coach, but he showed he is not a game coach. To put it simply, it was embarrassing. Losing an 18 point lead with less than 10 minutes to go in the game is unforgivable. With the talent he has coming in next year, he better produce or Dan better act. It’s going to be mighty difficult for people pay to watch a product like that.

Stuart

Stuart,

I am here for you to vent. I understand your frustration. The loss hurt, and it was hard to watch. I am not sure where the coaching ranks in Clemson history, but I have seen some bad coaching over forty years. I get it and don't blame you for feeling frustrated.

Mickey,

Why does Clemson consistently schedule the spring game the same week as the Masters? After 20 years, I was fortunate enough to get on the Masters mailing list. I hate having to choose between my two favorite sporting events, Clemson football and the Masters.

Last year, I witnessed our kickoff team and kickoff return woes and wondered when it would catch up to us. Unfortunately, I'm afraid it in large part cost us the national championship. It appears that Dabo has met with some special teams experts in an effort to fix the problem. I'm optimistic our kickoff and kickoff return teams will be much improved in 2016. Do you know any details regarding who our coaches met with?

Thanks and I enjoy reading the Friday email bag,

Dieseltiger

Dieseltiger,

I don't think Clemson considers the Masters when making the schedule. It has more to do with spring break and how it falls.

I am encouraged by the improvement on special teams. Dabo has set his mind to fix it. I do not know any specifics of who he met with and what came out of it.

Mickey,

The Tigers are loaded with running backs again this year. I expected some attrition mainly due to sheer numbers / touches, but that did not happen. Healthy competent backups are always a luxury. My question is, what do you expect from Feaster this year ? Do you expect him to have the Deshaun factor such that he is too talented to keep off the field? Or do you think the coaching staff would prefer to groom him slowly and redshirt the prize and let the shoulder injury heal ?

Thanks,

CoachAlmighty

Coach Almighty,

I think he can make an impact if he is healthy. I don't see him beating out Gallman or Choice, but I see him having a role in the offense. I can see him catching the ball out of the backfield and getting about five touches per game. He is talented, but Gallman just set the school record for rushing. I think his shoulder will be the issue. If he is healthy, he plays.

Mickey,

I think the tightness in the players is a reflection of the leadership. Jack Leggett created that tightness. Monty Lee does not.

Brad Brownell has a similar effect on the basketball team. Sadly, being outscored 31-13 in eight minutes was not entirely due to officiating. The head coach needs to lead and that was sorely lacking last night.

Kindest Regards,

Kirk

Kirk,

I am much surer on Leggett and less sure on Brownell. I can see a big difference in Leggett and Lee's style. It is clear to see the players are much more relaxed than last year. I got so tired of every game being about Jack keeping his job instead of it being about Clemson baseball and the players. I liked Leggett, but I love Clemson baseball. It was always too much about Jack and not enough about the players and the program.

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